LOS ANGELES.- The Los Angeles Lakers will be sold to Bob Igerformer CEO of disneyand to the investor Joshua Kushner in an operation that taxes the emblematic team of the NBA at $12.5 billion, ESPN reported this Wednesday.
The sale, in the absence of official confirmation, would represent a record price for the powerful North American basketball league.
The final deal still requires approval from the NBA Board of Governorsa process that can take weeks, according to the American television network.
The transaction would occur more than a year after the billionaire Mark Walter acquired a majority stake in the Californian franchise for $10 billion.
Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner son-in-law of the president of USA, Donald Trump.
through the background Thrive Eternal, Joshua Kushner was linked as a potential investor in the aborted plan to open the doors to private capital in the FIFA.
The initiative caused an earthquake in the world of football and threatens the re-election of the president of the highest football authority, Gianni Infantino.
“As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored by the opportunity to become custodians of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world,” Kushner and Iger said in a statement to ESPN.
“We have immense respect for the leadership and vision of Jerry and Jeanie Buss. “Our long-term commitment is to build on that foundation, compete at the highest level and serve this extraordinary team, its fans and the city of Los Angeles,” they added.
federal investigation
Walter’s purchase, announced in June of last year, ended the Buss family’s 46-year reign over the NBA giants.
Jeanie Buss had continued to serve as Lakers governor after the club was sold to Walter in a deal that further expanded her holding company’s sports portfolio. TWGGlobal.
The company’s sports properties include the Los Angeles Dodgers of the Major League Baseball and a participation in the Chelseafootball club English Premier League.
TWG also owns the tennis tournament Billie Jean King Cup and the team Formula 1 Cadillac.
However, Walter is currently under federal investigation for possible tax fraud related to his insurance businesses.
“Owning the Los Angeles Lakers has been one of the great honors of my life – an extraordinary investment, but what I will take with me is the community, the fans and a city that treats this team like it was part of the family,” Walter said in a statement.
“I am grateful to Jeanie Buss, the Buss family, the players and the staff for welcoming me into this chapter,” he said. “The Lakers belong in Los Angeles and I have every confidence that the best is yet to come.”
Welcomes from Doncic and Magic
The Lakers have won 17 NBA championships, behind only the Boston Celticswho have one more.
The team has been home to some of the league’s biggest superstars, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Earvin “Magic” Johnsonwho spoke on social networks about the transaction.
“I want to congratulate my good friend Bob Iger and Josh Kushner on the purchase of the Los Angeles Lakers,” said the former Los Angeles figure.
“Laker fans, you couldn’t have two better owners. I’ve known Bob personally for over 40 years: he’s always loved the Lakers and basketball, and he’s going to bring the championships back to Los Angeles,” he added.
LeBron Jamesthe NBA’s all-time leading scorer, was the leader of the gold and purple franchise in the last decade and led the way to the most recent title in 2020.
His recent departure to Philadelphia 76ers left the locker room in the hands of the Slovenian superstar Luka Doncicwho congratulated himself on the beginning of this new stage in the franchise.
“Being a Laker means everything to me and I’m excited to get back on the court and bring a championship to Los Angeles,” Doncic said on X.
“I’ve gotten used to big changes in recent years, but I know that, no matter what happens, there is no limit to the potential of this iconic franchise. I’m looking forward to meeting Josh and Bob so we can start working together to build something special in Los Angeles,” he noted.
